Gemini Observatory: Exploring The Universe, Sharing its Wonders

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The values below are based on measurements at the telescope. These values are similar to what is estimated by the T-ReCS Integration Time Calculator. The overall accuracy of the ITC S/N values is of the order of a factor of 1.2 to 1.4, since conditions at the telescope may vary during an observation, and since for faint targets the assumed square-root of time scaling will not hold exactly. For faint targets we advise people to be conservative in their exposure times to ensure that the desired S/N is obtained. Sensitivity estimates are available for

T-ReCS contains 7 slit masks for spectroscopy, plus an "open" mask and an occulting bar for imaging mode. The slit widths are chosen to match the lambda/D and 2*lambda/D conditions at the upper end of the 10 and 20 µm wavelength bands, plus the lambda/D condition at three additional wavelengths in the 10 µm band. The lambda/D slits will generally provide the best spectral resolution in good seeing; the 2*lambda/D slits may be better in poor seeing or for fainter sources.